Dual Diagnosis Therapy

Issues such as family conflict can reach an all-time high, with individuals constantly arguing with loved ones in an effort to protect their desire to continue to use. And, an entire onslaught of issues such as financial problems, legal troubles, health problems, and behavioral concerns can develop, causing an individual to slowly grow more and more out of control. The longer that an individual abuses drugs and/or alcohol for, the more concerning and serious the repercussions of his or her use become. Plus, when a substance use disorder is occurring alongside a mental health issue, these consequences can get much worse.

Living with a mental illness is typically challenging in and of itself, never mind if a substance use disorder is occurring simultaneously. Depending on the mental illness, individuals can experience issues such as unpredictable mood swings, irritability, isolation from others, detachment from surroundings, and more. When a mental illness goes without the appropriate care, it can completely consume an individual to the point where he or she struggles with functioning on a daily basis.

Many people who have a substance use disorder also have a mental illness at the same time. Attempting to navigate through life without obtaining the care needed to manage the symptoms of these issues can lead to several failures and setbacks that only perpetuate both conditions. Thankfully, treatment is available, through our dual diagnosis therapy program in Clarksville, Tennessee.

What Is Dual Diagnosis Therapy?

Dual diagnosis is simply the term used to describe a substance use disorder and a mental illness occurring simultaneously. Nearly half of all those who are diagnosed with a substance use disorder also experience a mental health illness at the same time. Prior to the treatment that is available now, someone who had a substance use disorder and a mental illness received treatment for both conditions, but separately. Today, after seeing the results of much research, treatment facilities provide a combined approach to care, also known as integrated care. Our dual diagnosis therapy in Clarksville utilizes integrated care whenever a client is diagnosed with both of these issues.

Symptoms of Dual Diagnosis

The symptoms that someone with a dual diagnosis will present will be specific to the type of substances he or she is abusing as well as the kind of mental health condition that is occurring. Someone who is addicted to heroin is going to experience many different symptoms than someone who is addicted to crack. And, someone with anxiety will have markers that are much different than someone with an antisocial personality disorder. While symptoms can vary significantly, there are a few symptoms that almost all individuals with a dual diagnosis experience, including the following:

• Isolation from friends, family, and loved ones
• Abusing drugs and/or alcohol even when doing so is dangerous
• Problems thinking clearly
• Inability to stop using regardless of consequences
• Feeling like one cannot function without abusing drugs and/or alcohol
• Thoughts of suicide
• Abusing addictive substances to help manage symptoms of the mental health condition
• Significant mood swings

When someone is presenting symptoms of dual diagnosis, it is imperative that he or she receives professional treatment like the kind offered at our dual diagnosis therapy in Clarksville, TN in order to remedy the major issues associated with each condition.

Our Dual Diagnosis Therapy in Clarksville

As mentioned before, dual diagnosis is treated as one condition, rather than being treated separately. In order to treat that condition, a number of different services are provided so that the client can receive a comprehensive approach to his or her treatment.

Therapy

Depending on the type of mental illness/substance use disorder a client has, he or she will participate in dual diagnosis therapy that is deemed appropriate for his or her treatment needs. In most treatment facilities, clients will participate in therapies such as individual, group, and family therapies, as well as behavioral therapies. Clients will also receive therapy that is geared towards their specific mental illness (e.g. eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for those who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder).

Medications

Working directly with clients allows mental health professionals first-hand insight into what he or she is experiencing, as well as what mental illness he or she is faced with. A client’s therapist or psychologist might recommend a specific medication that is designed to help treat the symptoms of his or her mental health condition. Additionally, clients can receive medications to help them with the symptoms associated with their substance use disorder. For example, clients who are detoxing from opioids might be prescribed Suboxone to help them better cope with withdrawal symptoms and cravings. All medications will be strictly managed and clients will be supervised for the duration of their stay in treatment.

Reach Out To Our Dual Diagnosis Therapy Program Today!

If you are facing down a dual diagnosis, do not feel like you have to attack it alone. There are countless people throughout the country who can not only relate to what you are experiencing but who can also provide you with the most effective care possible. Reach out for the care that you deserve by contacting our Clarksville, Tennessee dual diagnosis therapy program right now. We can help you.